06.01.2008

· What does QED stand for?

o It is an abbreviation for quod erat demonstrandum (Latin “which was to be proved”), added at the end of a geometry proof.

· Tata Steel’s turnover expected to touch $25 bn

o With Corus in its kitty, the Tata group is likely to see its turnover cross this figure in the year 2007-08.

· Ever heard of Android?

o This is Google’s mobile phone software framework.

· Indian stock market’s position globally

o With the 2007 rally in the markets it is now the 9^th largest in the world.

· Indian infrastructure

o India’s road network of 3.3 mn km is the second largest in the world. Very little has been done in modernising these roads.

o About 65% of freight and around 80% passenger traffic are carried by the roads.

o Private sector investments in central government’s road projects in 2008 are estimated to be approximately Rs. 30,000 crores.

o It is estimated that inadequate infrastructure is responsible for holding GDP growth by about 2% points, or an annual hit of approximately $20 bn to economic progress.

o China spends five times as much on infrastructure compared to India. Ports in China handle 5.6 bn tonnes of cargo compared to India’s 650 mn tonnes.

o Better infrastructure reduces the cost of doing business, thereby expanding trade.

· India’s education scene

o The number of out-of-school children in the 6 to 14 year age group has dropped from 13.4 mn in 2005 to 7.06 mn by March 2006.

o Look at the educational infrastructure of other countries!

§ Japan: For a population of 127 mn it has 4000 universities

§ US: For a population of 301 mn it has 3650 universities

§ India: For a population of 1.2 bn it has 348 universities

o When we look at such figures, we are left to wonder whether we are right in our approach to regulated entry of private sector into this segment. Would it not make sense to allow entry first and regulation next?

· Solar energy

o Ever wondered what is the difference between solar thermal and solar photovoltoics?

o Solar thermal energy is a technology for harnessing solar energy for heat. This is very different from solar photovoltaics, which convert solar energy directly into electricity.

o Polysilicon is the essential raw material in the production of solar cells. This material is very costly right now. About 10 tonnes of this material is required to produce 1 MW of solar energy.

· Language lessons:

o Crepuscular: It is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during the twilight. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright moonlit night. Within the definition of crepuscular are the terms matutinal (or "matinal") and vespertine, denoting species active in the morning (dawn) and evening (dusk) respectively.

o Crepuscular is thus in contrast with diurnal (active during daytime and resting during night) and nocturnal (active during night and resting during daytime).